Across Trenton, artists and makers have always played a defining role in shaping the city’s identity. From murals to mixed-media practices, creative businesses are part of the city’s economic engine — and the Trenton Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) program helps make that possible.
One example is 219 East Hanover Street LLC, the UEZ-registered business entity behind Hanover Creative, a newly restored arts and workspace building in the heart of Downtown Trenton. By participating in the UEZ program, the building is able to support the creative community in a very practical way: offering a home for artists to work, show, teach, and sell, all while accessing meaningful financial advantages through UEZ benefits.
Supporting Artists as Small Businesses
The UEZ program was designed to boost local economic activity by lowering the cost of doing business in designated parts of New Jersey. For artists and makers, this support matters more than people might realize. Tenants operating out of a UEZ location can access advantages such as:
A Sales Tax Rate Cut Nearly in Half
Artists selling directly from their UEZ-registered studio can charge customers only 3.3125% sales tax, instead of 6.625%, making in-person sales more competitive and attractive.
Lower Costs for Equipment and Studio Set-Up
Artists often invest in higher-cost items like presses, kilns, wheels, lighting rigs, or furniture to make their studio functional. Certain business equipment and fit-out expenses may qualify for reduced or tax-exempt purchasing under the UEZ program. This support can make it easier to establish or grow a working studio.*
A Supportive Home Base for Growth
By combining the financial benefits of the UEZ with a purpose-built arts facility, 219 East Hanover Street gives creative entrepreneurs a space where their work can grow into a sustainable business — whether they’re running a studio, teaching workshops, selling goods, or building a creative practice that needs room to expand.
A Purpose-Built Creative Building
The Hanover Creative building was designed with artistic work in mind. Inside, tenants will find:
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Flexible studio spaces suited for visual artists, fiber artists, ceramicists, photographers, illustrators, makers, and mixed-media creatives.
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Large windows and natural light, ideal for studios and production work.
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A ground-floor gallery, perfect for exhibitions, sales, and community events.
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A large event hall upstairs, offering possibilities for workshops, performances, and classes.
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An emerging creative community surrounded by anchors of the city’s arts ecosystem.
The goal is simple: provide artists and creative small businesses with the infrastructure they need to produce, display, and sell their work, all within a UEZ-supported location that keeps costs more manageable.
Studios Now Available
219 East Hanover Street currently has studio and office spaces available for artists and creative professionals who want to establish or grow their business in Trenton.
